Reclaiming Space

Mother Nature is becoming more volatile, with unpredictable temperature swings and extreme weather events on the rise.

As the effects of climate change grow more visible, many structures, especially those not built to withstand these conditions, are suffering damage, erosion, and decay.

Learning Lodges are a prime example of traditional architecture that is vulnerable to environmental impacts. These handmade spaces were built to reclaim a sense of place for Indigenous post-secondary students to gather, share knowledge, and honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being. For the more than 250 Indigenous students who attend Fleming College each year, these Lodges are an important part of their campus life. Unfortunately, after several years of structural collapse due to climate-related damage, maintaining the original lodges has become unsustainable.

Now, with support from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), Fleming is moving forward with plans to build durable, weather-resistant Learning Lodges at its Sutherland and Frost campuses. These new structures will once again offer a place for students, faculty, staff, and community members to connect with Indigenous culture, language, and teachings. They will be spaces that carry memory, meaning, and connection now and for generations to come.

The legacy of the Learning Lodges is already deeply rooted in the work of Fleming’s Indigenous Student Services team, who have hosted countless workshops and gatherings in these spaces. Beyond campus, the Lodges serve as trusted, welcoming places for Indigenous service providers, off-campus community members, and students. Their importance extends far beyond their physical structure, they are anchors of cultural identity, learning, and belonging.

Diocese of Peterborough